Method of producing 3-phenyl-1-butene

ABSTRACT

A METHOD OF SELECTIVELY PRODUCING 3-PHENYL-1-BUTENE BY CODIMERIZATION OF STYRENE WITH ETHYLENE IN THE PRESENCE OF BORON TRIHALIDE AND $-ARYL NICKEL (II) HALIDE.

United States Patent Oflice 3,732,323 Patented May 8, 1973 3,732,323 METHOD OF PRODUCING 3-PHENYL-1-BUTENE Atsumu Osaki, Tokyo, Tsutomu Mizoroki, Yokohama,

and Ken-Iehi Maruya, Tokyo, Japan, assignors to President of Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan No Drawing. Filed Mar. 10, 1972, Ser. No. 233,778 Claims priority, application Japan, July 28, 1971, 46/ 56,650 Int. Cl. C07c 3/18 US. Cl. 260-668 B 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A method of selectively producing 3-phenyl-l-butene by codimerization of styrene with ethylene in the presence of boron trihalide and 6-aryl nickel(II) halide.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As listed in the following table, there are several isomers of phenylbutene. In this specification, l-phenyll-butene, l-phenyl-Z-buteneand 4-phenyl-l-butene are generally referred to as l-phenylbutene, and Z-phenyll-butene, 2-phenyl-2-butene and 3-phenyl-1-butene are generally referred to as Z-phenylbutene.

l-phenylbutene and 2-phenylbutene produce respectively l-phenylbutadiene and Z-phenylbutyldiene rCHQ=C (II-1:01 12 by its dehydrogenation.

l-phenylbutadiene is not so useful in the industries, but 2-phenylbut'adiene (also called phenoprene) is useful because it is raw material of the synthetic rubber. Therefore, Z-phenylbutene which is starting material of phenoprene is important compound. Nevertheless, preferred methods of producing 2-phenylbutene have not been found yet.

A method of producing Z-phenylbutene, in which rohdium chloride is used as a catalyst, has been disclosed in Journal of the American Chemical Society [87:24] Dec. 20, 1965, p. 5,642. However, in this method, high pressure is required for codimerization of styrene with ethylene.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a method of producing 2-phenylbutene under mild conditions.

1 Cis-Lphenyl-Lbutene.

2 Cis-l-phenyl-Q-butene.

CIlzCIIzCHCHa I Transd-phenylQ-but cute.

isomers of phenylbutene 3 (ilH CHzCH=OH 4-pl1enyl-1-hntene.

4 CHQ=CCHZCH3 2-phenyl-1-butene.

5 CH3C=OHCH Cis-2-phenyl-2-butene.

Trans-Z-phenyl-2-butene.

6 CH CHCH=CH 3-pheny1-1-butene.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method of selectively producing 3-phenyl-1-butene in the presence of a mixture of the following compounds (A) and (B):

(A) a boron compound selected from the group consisting of boron trifiuoride, boron trichloride and boron tribromide.

(B) a nickel compound selected from the group consisting of 6-aryl nickel(II) halides having the following general formula:

wherein R is an aryl radical, said R being linked to the Ni-atom by 6-bond, is a radical selected from the group consisting of ethyl and phenyl, P being tertiary phosphine, and X is halogen selected from the group consisting of chlorine, bromine and iodine, said P and X being linked to the Ni-atom by coordination bond.

Said boron compounds (boron trihalides) are well known to those skilled in the art and, for example, that boron trifluoride ethyl etherate is used as a catalyst in the cationic polymerization, is also Well known.

Said nickel compounds (it-aryl nickel(II) halides) are disclosed in Journal of Chemical Society 1960, p. 1,718 by I. Chatt and B. L. Show.

We have found that codimerization of styrene with ethylene takes place to produce selectively 3-phenyl-1- butene by using a mixture of the above boron trihalide and a-aryl nickel (II) halide as a catalyst. The present invention is based on this discovery.

Said boron trihalides are used dissolving them in an organic solvent. Said solvent includes, for example, ethyl ether, methylene chloride, chloroform, toluene, xylene chlorobenzene. Boron trifiuoride is used in a state of boron trifiuoride ethyl etherate.

Preferred B-aryl nickel(II) halides are bis(triphenylphosphine) fi-aryl nickel(II) halide having the general formula RNi(P X wherein R is o-tolyl, lnaphthyl or mesityl, P is phosphorus atom, 41 is phenyl and X is chlorine, bromine or iodine.

Said 6-aryl nickel(II) halides can easily be synthesized and have high activity to codimerize selectively styrene with ethylene at a low temperature.

On the other hand, fi-aryl nickel(II) halides wherein aryl is, for example, mor p-tolyl, 2-naphthyl and styryl, may also be used as a catalyst of the codimerization of styrene withethylene, while they are easy to decompose in comparison with the aforementioned a-aryl nickel(II) halides.

6-aryl nickel(II) halide is used in the ratio of 1 to 100 parts by mole, preferably 2 to 20 parts by moleof B-aryl nickel(II) halide to 100 parts by mole of boron compound.

Codimerization of styrene with ethylene may be carried out as follows:

Bis(triphenylphosphine) 6-aryl nickel(II) halide and boron trihalide are dissolved in methylene chloride under nitrogen gas and to this solution is added styrene. After the solution has been cooled to a temperature of about C., nitrogen gas is removed, and into this solution is introduced ethylene gas having a pressure of 1 atm. while stirring and maintaining the solution at a temperature of about 0 C.

In the above procedure, 3-pheny1-1-butene is first prm duced and then, as the reaction time is prolonged, 3-phen yl-l-butene is isomerized to 2-phenyl-2-butene. In addi tion to this, as the reaction time is further prolonged, ethylene is dimerized to butene, and furthermore 3-methyl-3-phenyl-1-pentene is gradually produced by codimerization of 2-phenyl-2-butene with ethylene.

On the other hand, the other undesirable compounds such as diphenylbutenes and styrene polymers are produced by carrying out the codimerization of styrene with ethylene at an elevated temperature above 25 C., for example, at 30 C.

Therefore, in order to produce selectively 3-phenyl-1- butene, it is required that the reaction is carried out at a low temperature in a short time. The reaction temperature is preferably from C. to C.

The catalyst comprising fi-arylnickel (II) halide and boron trihalide can catalyze to codimerize styrene with ethylene so that 3*phenyl-1-butene may selectively be prowas used in place of 0.75 g. of trans-bis(triphenylphosphine) o-tolyl nickel(III) bromide.

duced at a lower temperature than roomtemperature and at an ordinary pressure such as 760 mm. Hg.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following examples are given for purposes of illustration only and it is to be understood that the present invention is not restricted thereto.

Example 1 0.75 g. (1 mmole) of trans-bis(triphenylphosphine) oand 0.14 g. (1 mmole) of boron trifiuoride ethyl etherate (BF -O(C I-I were dissolved in 30 ml. of methylene chloride under nitrogen gas in 100 ml. flask and then to this solution was added 1.8 g. (17.4 mmoles) of styrene.

After the solution was cooled to about 0 C., nitrogen gas was removed and into the solution was introduced ethylene gas having a pre ssure of 1 atm. for 15 minutes while stirring and maintaining the solution at a temperature of I .tained in a 58% yield, consuming 1.29 g. (12.4 mmoles) of styrene.

- Example 2 The same procedure as that set forth in Example 1 was repeated except that 0.79 g. (1 mmole) of trans-bis(tri- 'phenylphosphine) l-naphthyl nickelfll) bromide 1.36 g. (10.3 mmoles) of 3-phenyl-1-butene was obtained in a yield, consuming 1.34 g. (12.9 mmoles) of styrene.

. Example 3 The same procedure as that set forth in Example 1 was repeated except that 0.78 g. (1 mmole) of trans-bis- (triphenylphosphine) mesityl nickel(II) bromide (trans- 1,3,5-C H (CH Ni[P(C H Br) was used in place of 0.75 g. of trans-bis(triphenylphosphine) o-tolyl nickel(II) bromide.

1.53 g. (11.6 mmoles) of 3-phenyl-1-butene was obtained in a 91% yield, consuming 1.29 g. (12.4 mmoles) of styrene. I

Example 4 0.079 g. (0.1 mmole) of trans-bis(triphenylphosphine) 1-naphthyl nickel(II) bromide,

(trans-I-C H Ni 5) 3 I) and 0.14 g. (1 mmole) of boron trifiuoride ethyl etherate (BF -O(C 'H were dissolved in 30 ml. of methylene chloride under nitrogen gas in 100 ml. flask and then to this solution was added 3.6 g. (35 mmoles) of styrene. After the solution was cooled to about 0 C., nitrogen gas was removed and into the solution was introduced ethylene gas having a pressure of 1 atm. for 15 minutes while stirring and maintaining the solution at a temperature of about 0 C. At the end of the 15 minute period of introducing ethylene gas, the reaction was stopped by adding an aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide.

3.7 g. (28 mmoles) of 3-phenyl-l-butene was obtained in a yield, consuming 3.2 g. (31 mmoles) of styrene.

Example 5 The same procedure as that set forth in Example 4 was repeated except that 0.29 g. (2.0 mmoles) of boron trifiuoride ethyl etherate (BF;,-O(C H was used in place of 0.14 g. (1 mmole) of it.

4.0 g. (30 mmoles) of 3-phenyl-1-butene was obtained in a 94% yield, consuming 3.3 g. (32 mmoles) of styrene.

Example 6 The same procedure as that set forth in Example was repeated except that 0.25 g. (1 mmole) of boron tr1- bromide (BBr was used in place of 0.14 g. (1 mmole) of boron trifiuoride ethyl etherate.

2.5 g. (19 mmoles) of 3-phenyl-1-butene was obtained in a 66% yield, consuming 3.0 g. (29 mmoles) of styrene.

Example 7 The same procedure as that set forth in Example 4 was repeated except that 0.060 g. (0.1 mmole) of trans-bis- (diethylphenylphosphine) l-naphthyl nickel(II) bromide (trans-1-C H Ni[P(C H C H Br) was used in place of 0.079 g. (0.1 mmole) of trans-bis(triphenylphosphine) l-naphthyl nickel (II) bromide.

3.7 g. (28 mmoles) of 3-phenyl-1-butene was obtained in a 88% yield, consuming 3.3 g.'32 mmoles) of styrene.

In Example 1 to 8, a-aryl nicke1(II) bromide or iodide was used. However, fi-aryl nickel(II) chloride may also be used in the same manner and it can give an elfect similar to that of bromide or iodide.

In Example 6, boron tribromide was used, while borontrichloride may be used in place of boron tribromide.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of selectively producing 3 phenyl 1- butene comprising carrying out the codimerization of styrene with ethylene in the presence of a miXture of the following compounds (A) and (B):

(A) a boron compound selected from the group consisting of 'boron trifiuoride, boron trichloride and boron tribromide,

(B) a nickel compound selected from the group consisting of 6-aryl nickel(II) halide having the following general formula:

wherein R is an aryl radical, said R being linked to the Ni-atom by fi-bond, is a radical selected from the group consisting of ethyl and phenyl, P being tertiary phosphine, and X is halogen selected from the group consisting of chlorine, bromine and iodine, said P and X being linked to the Ni-atom by coordination bond.

2. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said boron compound is boron trifiuoride ethyl etherate.

3. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said boron compound is boron tribromide.

4. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said nickel compound is trans-bis(triphenylphosphine) o-tolyl nickel(II) bromide.

5. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said nickel compound is trans-bis(triphenylphosphine) 1 naphthyl nickel(I'I) bromide.

6. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said nickel compound is trans-bis(triphenylphosphine) mesityl nickel(II) bromide.

7. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said nickel compound is trans-bis(diethylphenylphosphone) l-naph- ,thyl nickel(II) bromide.

8. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said codimerization of styrene with ethylene is carried out at a temperature between 10 C. and 20 C.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,390,195 6/1968 Chappell et al. 260-669 P 3,641,176 2/ l972 Jenkins et al. 260-671 A 3,642,935 2/1972 Dunning et al. 260683.15 D

CURTIS R. DAVIS, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

260671 A, 669 P, 683.15 B, 683.15 D

Patent No. 3,732,323 Dated May 8, 1973 Inventor s Atsumu Osaki, Tsutomo Mizoroki and Ken-Ichi Maruya It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Page 4 Column 1, line 16 Column 2, lines 38, 46, 55, 61, 68 and 69 Column 3, lines 4, 8, 10, ll, 16, 40,

Column 4, lines 72-73 Column 5, lines 12 and 19: replace by Column 1, line 34: replace "2-phenyl butyldiene" by 2-phenylbutadiene.

Column 3, line 55: replace (tran s-0 C H (CH Ni[P (CH H 3f) by--(trans0-C H (CH )Ni[P(C H Br) Column 4, line 20: replace "1" by --l-- Column 4, line 56: replace "l-C H Ni[P(C H I) by use? and sealer. this 15th c'ay of April 1975.

: ORM PO-l 050 (IO-59) USCOMM'DC 6037 6-P59 k ".5. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE [9'9 0-366-334,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 732 323 D t d May 8,I 1973 Inventor(s) Os ki, et a1 It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 51: replace "Said" by --The aforesaid-- line 52: insert a period after "art" line 52: replace "and, for by -Forline 52: ,before "that" insert -it is well knownline 54: cancel "the" line 54: cancel "is also well known" lines 51, 55 and 63: replace "Said" by --The aforesaid-- line 63: replace"dissolving them in" by --in a solution of-- line 64: replace "Said solvent includes" by Suitable solvents include-- line 66: replace "a state" by -the form-- line 68: replace "Preferred" by --Suitableline 71: after "is"(first occurrence) insert --a-- FORM P0-105O (10-69) USCOMIWDC 603754, fi u.s. eovsnuueu'r PRINTING OFFICE I969 o-aes-an,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Page CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,732,323 Dated May 8, 1973 Inventor(s) Osaki, et al It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 3, line 6 replace "of" by --in-- line 10: before -aryl" insert --The-- Column 4, line 72: replace "Example" by --Examples-- Column 5, line 12: after "of" insert --anline 19: after "by" insert aline 21: replace'"halogen" by a halogen atomline 23: after "by" insert a-- Column 1, line correct the spelling of "rhodium" Colunm 2, line 70: insert between "l-naphthyl" a dash Column 3, line replace "Bf" by --B r-- Column 4, line 56: "1-c H Ni[P(C I-I I should read :ORM PC4050 uscoMM-oc 60376-P69 .5. GOVERNMENT PMNI'ING OFFICE l9! 0-368-88, 

